The word "proxy" is a reference to the concept of a proxy as well as a proxy server a server software that acts as an intermediary between client and a server on the internet. Without a proxy, a user can send a request straight to servers and the server would then provide the resource directly back at the requester's expense. Although this method is easy to grasp and use but using proxies has benefits such as enhanced performance, privacy, security, and more. As an additional pass-through layer the proxy acts as a security safeguard for the internet between clients and servers.




Generally speaking, the bundled equipment of servers with proxy software installed is also often referred too as a proxy server. This article will concentrate on proxies typically considered as software, and specifically, in relation to servers on the internet. The article will provide an explanation of two types that are available, including a forward proxy and the reverse. reverse proxy. Each type has its own use case, often confused due to the overlapping terminology.




This article will give you the understanding of the different types of proxies, which subtypes they belong to and the way they work in various configurations. Through this article, you'll learn to recognize the situations where a proxy is beneficial, and decide on the right choice between forward and reverse proxy, in any scenario.



Understanding Forward Proxies



A forward proxy, also referred to as an open proxy, serves as an intermediary for a client trying to make a request via the internet to a source server. In this situation the entire process of sending requests by the user is instead sent through the forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting as a substitute that of the user, would look at the request. At the beginning, it will decide whether this client is able to accept requests from this specific forward proxy. Then, it will either reject requests or redirect them to the server that originated it. The client isn't capable of having direct access to the internet. It is only able to access what forward proxy allows it to access.




The most common reason for using forward proxy services is to obtain more privacy or security when using the internet. Forward proxy connects to the internet as the client, and in that process it could use a different IP address that is different to the initial IP address of the client.




Depending on how it has been configured in accordance with the way it was configured forward proxy may offer a wide range of options and let you:




Avoid tracking ads.


Circumvent surveillance.


Find restrictions based on the geolocation of your home.




Forward proxies can also be used in systems of centralized security as well as permission-based access, such as in workplaces. If all internet traffic flows via an open forward proxy administrators are able to grant access only to specific users to the internet, which is filtered by an common firewall. Instead of establishing firewalls for the client layer which can be used by several computer systems with different configurations and environment, the firewall can be installed at this layer to forward proxy data.




It is important to remember that forward proxies must be configured manually and reverse proxies could be ignored by the client. Based on the type of IP address of a client is transmitted to the server where it came from via the forward proxy Privacy and anonymity may be granted or not.




There are a number of options to consider for forward proxy possibilities:




Apache A popular open-source, well-known web server, that can provide forward proxy functions.


Nginx: Another well-known open source server for web hosting with forward proxy capabilities.


Squid is an open-source forward proxy that uses the HTTP protocol. It's not the complete webserver system. It is possible to refer to our step-by-step instructions to set up Squid proxy to allow private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy which uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP this allows it to be better suited for usage in scenarios such as peer-to-peer traffic. You might also want to look into how to set up a Dante proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy serves as an intermediary for a web server that handles incoming requests from customers on behalf of the server. The web server could function as a single server or as a series of servers. Additionally, it can be used as an application server such as Gunicorn. In any case, a request would come via the internet at large. Most often the request will be sent directly to the web server and include the information the user is seeking. The reverse proxy serves as an intermediary securing the server from direct contact to the open internet.




From a consumer's point of perspective, the experience of working using reverse proxy isn't much different than working with the server itself. It's exactly the same but the client can't discern the difference. Clients can request the resource and receive it, with no additional configuration needed by the client.




Reverse proxy providers can provide options like:




Centralized security for the web server layer.


Incoming traffic is directed based upon rules you set.


The caching feature is now available to users.




While central security is a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy services, reverse proxy providers this service at the layer of web servers but not the client layer. instead of having to maintain firewalls on Web server layers which may contain multiple servers with different configurations, the bulk of the firewall security could be directed towards the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, getting rid of the burden of interacting with firewalls as well as interacting with requests from clients outside of web servers lets them focus on delivering the needs of their customers.




If there are multiple servers running in a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy manages the requests to which server. There could be multiple web servers that provide the identical service, but each providing different kinds of resources, or a mix of both. These servers could be running the HTTP protocol, which is a standard web server. However, they can include other protocols for application servers like FastCGI. You can set up a reverse proxy to direct visitors to specific server depending on the service they require, or to follow specific guidelines for traffic load.




Reverse proxies also have the ability to benefit from their positioning prior to web servers by providing the ability to cache information. Large static assets can be set with caching rules to ensure that they prevent Web servers from being hit every time a request is made. Some solutions allowing you to provide static files directly without connecting to the web server in any way. In addition the reverse proxy may be able to handle compression of these files.




The popular Nginx web server also serves as an effective reverse proxy service. Although Nginx, the Apache web server with reverse proxy capabilities, it is an additional option to Apache while Nginx was designed originally for and is focused specifically on reverse proxy features.



Differentiating the use of reverse and forward proxy The Case



Since "forward" as well as "reverse" have connotations of directionality, as well as false comparisons with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic, these labels can be confusing since both kinds of proxy can handle requests as well as responses. An alternative method to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy is to study the requirements of the application you're creating.




A reverse proxy is helpful when creating an application to run web-based applications via the internet. They serve as your web servers for all interactions on the internet.




Forward proxy is useful when it is placed in front of customers for your own use or within the corporate setting. They represent the client's information whenever you interact on the internet.




Distinguishing by use case instead of focusing on the common names can help in making sure that there is no confusion.



Conclusion



The article explained the meaning of a proxy having two types: the reverse proxy and forward proxy. Practical examples of use and an analysis of beneficial attributes were used to identify the two types of proxies that are reverse and forward. If you're looking to know more about the advantages of proxies then we suggest you read our guide on how to set up Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy on Apache running on the Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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